Shooting at town of Milton tavern is second in eight months

TOWN OF MILTON—For the second time in less than a year, police are investigating a shooting at the Countryside Inn, 1801 E. Highway 59.

The latest shooting took place after closing early Sunday. The victim, a 28-year-old Madison man, was treated and released from Meriter Hospital, Madison, according to a news release from the Rock County Sheriff's Office.

The shooting was believed to have occurred around 2:10 a.m., said Rock County Sheriff's Office Capt. Jude Mauer.

Because of an event taking place at the bar, the tavern had asked a Town of Milton police officer to be on the premises. Near closing time, some of the patrons were involved in a “physical altercation,” Mauer said.

The town of Milton officer called for assistance from the Rock County Sheriff's Office around closing time, but no arrests were made at that time, Mauer said.

At 3:34 a.m., Sunday, officials at Meriter Hospital in Madison called the Rock County Sheriff's Office with a report of a man with a gunshot wound to his lower leg, according to the news release.

The man, who had been dropped off near the hospital, told Madison police that the injury happened somewhere near Milton. After investigation, Madison police determined the location of the accident was at the Countryside Inn, the news release said.

The man told investigators he was shot about 2:10 a.m. while leaving the tavern. He was later treated and released from the hospital, according to the news release.

Overnight investigation led to a search warrant being executed at the business at 10 a.m.

Police are not yet releasing information about what, if anything, was found during the search.

The June 22 shooting took place after closing time. A 31-year-old man was shot three times in that incident.

In both cases, the shooting took place after an event held at the bar.

The shooting in June in prompted town of Milton officials to consider a “demerit system” for taverns. Countryside owner Rich Erdman objected to the plan, saying that he didn't have much control over the behavior of people in his parking lot. He did, however, tighten up security for events, adding security guards and video cameras.

In the June shooting, Trevonne McClarn, 22, formerly of Madison, was charged with attempted first degree homicide. He appeared in Rock County Court in July and was released on $250,000 cash bond.